Strengthening the Foundations of On-Farm Engagement with the Extension Packages Project

By Simon Kruger, WMG Project Communications Officer

Led by the West Midlands Group (WMG), and funded by the Cooperative Research Centre for High Performance Soils (Soil CRC), the Extension Packages Project is supporting Farming Systems Groups to improve how soil-related research is translated into relevant, practical extension. The project is currently entering its second phase, following the completion of a national situational analysis of four participating groups.

This analysis—conducted with support from Dr Vaughan Higgins of the University of Tasmania—explored how each group approaches soil extension, the tools and methods they use, and the common challenges shaping efforts to connect research with on-farm decision-making. Drawing on focus group discussions, planning tools and comparative matrices, the analysis provided a grounded view of current extension practice and the operational environment in which groups are working.

A Shared Commitment to Practical and Credible Extension

All groups involved in the analysis share a strong emphasis on practical, evidence-based delivery. Whether through field days, small discussion groups, or farmer-led trials, the focus is on delivering soil extension that is regionally relevant and useful to growers.

Many groups are using digital platforms—such as social media, short videos, and WhatsApp networks—to maintain engagement between events and to reach those unable to attend in person. These tools complement traditional methods and are increasingly used to reinforce key messages or share bite-sized updates linked to field activities.

Common Challenges Across Groups

Several common structural and operational challenges emerged from the situational analysis:

• Short project timelines and funding cycles limit flexibility and reduce opportunities for sustained engagement;
• Event competition and information fatigue affect grower turnout and interest;
• On-farm labour and staff resourcing constraints limit the capacity to implement or demonstrate certain practices;
• Extension and monitoring expectations are increasing, but tracking adoption and impact remains a resource-intensive task.

Despite these challenges, groups are taking up new frameworks and tools to support their extension planning. Many are starting to use tools developed through Soil CRC Program 1—including the Risk/Reward Tool, the Soil Health Survey, and the Knowledge Sharing Guide—as part of their approach.

What Comes Next?

With Phase 1 of the project now complete, each group is entering Phase 2, during which they will select a Soil CRC project they are currently working on—or have recently completed—and design a targeted extension package to deliver its outcomes to their local audience. The extension packages will be guided by selected Program 1 tools and delivered over the second half of 2025.

This next phase will also include opportunities for participating groups to reflect on their delivery, share learnings with one another, and contribute to the broader evaluation of how different extension strategies work in practice. While the project is focused on a small number of case studies, it is expected to provide practical insights for how farming systems groups can continue to refine their approaches to soil-related extension in locally appropriate ways.